Cousin Will

 Anthony Forwood played Will Scarlet in Walt Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952), starring Richard Todd as Robin Hood. Known as “Cousin Will,” he was one of Robin’s men and brought a quiet charm and elegance to the role.

Despite being an established member of Robin’s band, Will Scarlet receives very little character growth throughout the film. We learn almost nothing about his background, personality, or relationship with Robin beyond being called his cousin. His role is largely confined to supporting the other Merrie Men, with one of his more memorable moments being the playful “christening” of Little John by throwing him into the river.

Forwood continued acting in films throughout the 1950s, including Knights of the Round Table (1953). Although his time as Will Scarlet was brief and the character was underdeveloped, his handsome appearance and natural presence made him a memorable part of Disney’s colourful vision of the legend.

Robin Hood Alive

There’s something rather sad about seeing The Death of Robin Hood (2026) — a much darker, more sombre and revisionist take on a legend many of us grew up loving.

Reviews have described the film as “brutal”, “grim” and “contemplative”, stripping away much of the “merry” spirit of the traditional legend and focusing instead on violence, guilt and atonement.

But I have to admit… I prefer my Robin Hood alive! 🏹🌳

Give me the Robin Hood of old — Sherwood Forest, Maid Marian, Little John, the Merry Men, the laughter, the adventure and that wonderful sense of freedom and justice. Those are the memories that made Robin Hood such a timeless hero.

Some legends simply belong in the forest, bow in hand, with a twinkle in their eye — alive, merry and forever young. 

Autographs of the Stars!

 

Special thanks to John Nelson for sharing this amazing collection of autographs from the stars of Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men. The collection was discovered on an American auction site and was probably worth a king’s ransom! Most intriguingly, the autographs are dated 24 April 1951.

Filming began at Denham Studios on 30 April 1951, with Walt Disney visiting the production in June. Filming continued through July and was completed in August 1951. This raises the fascinating possibility that these autographs were collected at Denham before the start of filming.

The film’s copyright was registered on 6 March 1952, and it premiered in London on 13 March 1952.

Joan & Richard

 

Don’t forget to visit our Disney’s Story of Robin Hood Facebook page, now with over 640 followers! 🏹🌲 Thank you for your amazing support! ❤️

Belgian Comic Strip 1.

My loyal blog readers will recall the two Disney Robin Hood comic strips featured over the years. Below is the first version, published in the Belgian Mickey Magazine in the 1950s.

Publicity Still

 

A publicity still featuring Richard Todd as Robin Hood and Joan Rice as Maid Marian—one of the very first items in my collection.

 

Flying Vegetables!

 Watch out for the flying vegetables, Sheriff!

Televised World Premiere

Joan Rice arriving at the Leicester Square Theatre for the world premiere of "Robin Hood

An article in 'The Motion Picture Herald' of April-June 1952:

British Premiere For Disney's 'Robin Hood'

by PETER BURNUP

LONDON: Two other American companies here—RKO Radio and Republic—were quick to match the gauntlets thrown down by Metro and Paramount in their "Quo Vadis" and "Greatest Show on Earth" challenge; much to the satisfaction of lesser fry like theatre men in remoter places. They're all convinced now of the virtue of keeping the folks talking.

Maybe RKO had the stiffer stint with two big charity premieres within a week in London's West End. (The pictures were Disney's "Robin Hood"—Leicester Square theatre, March 13—and David E. Rose's "Saturday Island"—Odeon, at Leicester Square, March 17.)

The "Robin Hood" show was a brilliant climax to six months' planning and plugging. All the civic dignitaries of the ancient city of Nottingham—the operational base of Britain's legendary bandit—came to London for the performance. It was a flower-decked decorative occasion with linkmen dressed as Sherwood Foresters and usherettes as Maid Marions. The BBC's television crew filmed the entire foyer fiesta for broadcast throughout England the following night.

Implemented Publicity

Since the introduction of newsprint rationing early in the last war. Other magazine editorial space has been grabbed on its behalf. The BBC set aside 30 minutes for a recording which was made of the picture's opening on March 17. Another BBC programme will be devoted to the film's background music on the day of the opening.

Photo Caption:

Joan Rice, star of the film, arriving at the Leicester Square Theatre for the world premiere of "Robin Hood" in London. Some of the "Merrie Men" can be seen in the background.

Walt meets the King and Archbishop

 On 24 June 1951, Walt Disney visited the sound stages at Denham Studios and the location sets at Burnham Beeches during the production of his second live-action feature, The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men. His visit was covered by Reuters. In this photograph, Walt is pictured with Anthony Eustel, who portrayed the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Patrick Barr, who played King Richard.